Public Backs National Parks to Boost Mental Health and Tackle Climate Change

Nine in ten people believe National Parks play a vital role in supporting mental health and wellbeing, according to a new UK-wide survey.

Mental health and wellbeing can be significantly boosted by time spent in natural landscapes. A new report reveals that ninety per cent of people believe National Parks play a vital role in helping individuals manage stress and improve their overall mental health.

Shared concerns about nature loss, access to green spaces, and the impacts of climate change are driving strong public support for the protected areas. Based on a survey of three thousand people across England, Scotland, and Wales, the research found that eighty per cent of respondents agree National Parks are actively taking action on climate and nature.

Reducing stress and pressure in daily life is considered important by eighty-nine per cent of the public. Furthermore, seventy-five per cent say feeling connected to nature is vital, while large majorities want better access to natural spaces and stronger local communities.

Habitats are being restored to support wildlife and strengthen the resilience of the landscape across the North York Moors National Park. Practical actions in the local area include planting hedgerows, restoring grasslands, and creating ponds for wildlife through community volunteering initiatives.

Bob Dicker, a member of the local community who volunteers at the North York Moors project, said:

"This is a great way for a bunch of local people to say, ‘we can do our bit'."

Pollution, litter, and damage to natural places are strong concerns for seventy-six per cent of people, while sixty-nine per cent care deeply about flooding and extreme weather. Across the UK, projects are responding to these issues and turning shared priorities into practical action.

Brain health and dementia support is being provided through an innovative outdoor programme in the Cairngorms National Park. The project helps people living with dementia connect with nature and build social connections.

One carer attending the Outdoor Brain Health and Dementia Resource Centre said:

"A lovely, welcoming place in amazing surroundings which put us right at the heart of nature."

Opportunities for more people to experience the coast are being improved by addressing physical barriers to access, such as providing specialist beach wheelchairs in Pembrokeshire.

Angela Robinson, Health and Wellbeing Officer for the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, said:

"Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy Pembrokeshire’s coast, and this scheme helps make that possible for people who might otherwise be excluded."

A network of tree nurseries is also being supported in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs to help restore landscapes, create opportunities for local people, and strengthen community resilience to climate change.

Hamshya Rajkumar, Nursery Volunteer Coordinator for the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs Countryside Trust, said:

"...the nursery is as much about people as plants. Volunteers and local communities are integral to its success, learning new skills, connecting with nature and helping to restore habitats across the National Park."

Gordon Watson, Chief Executive of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority, said:

"This report shows that National Parks are more than beautiful landscapes: they are places where people and nature can thrive together, and where significant action is already well underway to help tackle some of society’s biggest challenges.

The projects we’re highlighting across Scotland, Wales and England are just a snapshot of the work National Parks are delivering, but they clearly demonstrate that, despite the scale of those challenges, we can and should still have hope.

Positive change is possible, and the public support is there to drive that change forward. Through collective action, connection and innovative solutions, National Parks are helping to make that change happen."

Addressing some of the biggest challenges facing society today has become a growing role for the UK's protected landscapes. The findings have been published by National Parks UK alongside a new initiative called 'The Answer Is National Parks', which aims to showcase how projects across all fifteen UK parks are making a positive difference to people's lives.